HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) formally announces plans to begin a contraflow lane on Farrington Highway in Nanakuli later this year. Governor David Ige directed HDOT to develop operational solutions to improve mobility around our state. Gov. Ige specifically requested that HDOT implement a contraflow on Farrington Highway to improve the quality of life for our residents on the Leeward Coast.

The Nanakuli contraflow pilot project will create a third lane of travel for westbound drivers on Farrington Highway from 3 pm – 7 pm every weekday, excluding holidays. The mile-long contraflow lane is planned to begin at Piliokahi Avenue and continue past Helelua Street. During the contraflow hours signs, cones and markers will be displayed to safely convert the eastbound lane to create three Waianae bound lanes and one Honolulu bound lane.

HDOT is in the process of developing conceptual plans. During the contraflow hours, mobility on Farrington will be prioritized, and some turning movements from mauka and makai will be disallowed. Due to the turning restrictions, U-turn access points are being coordinated with the City & County of Honolulu to minimize impacts to drivers and area residents. We are currently working with City & County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services and Oahu Transit Services to coordinate technical requirements. HDOT has scheduled appearances before the area Neighborhood Boards in March and April to gather input from the community before implementing the plans.

“Governor Ige is fighting for our residents and wants to begin projects that can be implemented quickly and improve conditions immediately,” said Ford Fuchigami, Hawaii Department of Transportation. “We are focusing the majority of our resources on maximizing our existing highway system, rather than capital improvements that will take years to finish.”

With the upcoming community input and feedback, HDOT anticipates the contraflow could be developed during the summer and implemented before the Beat the School Jam and the start of the next school year.

We appreciate the partnership with Sen. Maile Shimabukuro who has been pushing for traffic improvements on Farrington Highway and has been working towards those improvements over the past several years.

“Implementing the Governor’s vision is made easier when working with community champions like Sen. Shimabukuro,” said Ed Sniffen, Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director, Highways Division. “We are also moving forward with the study to extend the fifth lane on Farrington Highway to Hakimo Road and we are implementing a solution that will work now.”